[CQ-Contest] ET3SID (SK)

[Ken Claerbout]

As you may have heard, Sid May, ET3SID, passed away on Tuesday.  

I had the good fortune of meeting Sid and the students at ET3AA this past July while I was in Addis Ababa.  We had been in touch the past two years since I have been through Addis a number of times and, I had been following the work K3LP and others at the club station.  What Sid was doing for Amateur Radio in Ethiopia and the students at ET3AA was nothing short of amazing.  That visit was the most inspirational thing I've witnessed in years with regard to the hobby.  

In one instance Sid told me "sit down and operate."  I got on 15 SSB and things were a little slow.  The kids were telling me they had not worked anyone in awhile and were paying more attention to their computers than the radio.  The band started to open and pretty soon I had a pile-up on my hands.   I looked over my shoulder and a couple of them had come over to see what was going on.  At that point I told them "it's yours...you take over."  They did and it was clear they had been well coached as they handled the pile-up as if it was second nature.  Frankly I was surprised how well they did and with no hesitation.  Later it hit me, they walked away from the Internet to play radio!

I knew Sid's health was failing.  Last week I received an e-mail and he said he was slowing down.  I wasn't sure if it was just a general comment or he was saying something more.  Tuesday morning I received an e-mail from one of the students that he had passed.  Very sad news.  It's a big loss for the students and Amateur Radio in Ethiopia.  Hopefully his legacy can be continued but there are some significant challenges to overcome.  RIP OM.  You did well!


Ken K4ZW